Thursday, 23 November
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, presented Nigerian-Canadian Samson Agboegbulem and four of his fire-fighter colleagues with Medals of Bravery, at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Thursday, November 23, 2017. Created in 1972, Decorations for Bravery recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others.
MEDAL OF BRAVERY
Samson Agboegbulem, M.B.
Samir Al-Rubaiy, M.B.
Montell Russell, M.B.
Ottawa, Ontario
District Fire Chief Donald Smith, M.B.
Embrun, Ontario
On December 5, 2015, Samson Agboegbulem, Samir Al-Rubaiy, Montell Russell and District Fire Chief Don Smith rescued two young children from a burning apartment in Ottawa, Ontario. Locked outside of her unit, the children’s mother alerted the men who then attempted to force their way inside, finally using a fire extinguisher to break through the door. Despite the smoke pouring into the hallway, the men crawled inside the unit to search for the children, but were forced to retreat due to the flames. They persisted in their efforts until both children were located and brought to safety.
Source: Governor General of Canada